University human research ethics application procedures can be complicated and daunting, especially for international students unfamiliar with the process and the language. We conducted focus groups and interviews with four research higher degree and 21 Master’s coursework international students at an Australian university to gain their views on the human ethics application process. We found the most important influences on their experience were: the time it took to do an application; support from supervisors, peers and others; their own language skills; and their lack of familiarity with research ethics procedures. To improve the experience of international students undertaking research involving human research ethics applications, we recommend universities provide guidance on institutional ethics review processes, concepts and terminology, with translations in a range of languages, together with guidance on how to conduct research ethically within and outside the students’ own countries. We also recommend curricula be developed to further students’ understanding of the importance of ethical research practice, and that these curricula be embedded in undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs and reflected in course learning outcomes.

大学人类研究伦理申请程序可能​​复杂而艰巨，尤其是对于不熟悉流程和语言的国际学生而言。我们对澳大利亚大学的 4 名研究型更高学位和 21 名硕士课程的国际学生进行了焦点小组和访谈，以了解他们对人类伦理申请过程的看法。我们发现对他们的体验最重要的影响是：申请所需的时间；来自主管、同事和其他人的支持；他们自己的语言能力；以及他们对研究伦理程序缺乏熟悉。为了提高国际学生从事涉及人类研究伦理应用研究的经验，我们建议大学就机构伦理审查流程、概念和术语提供指导，提供多种语言的翻译，以及如何在学生自己国家内外以合乎道德的方式开展研究的指导。我们还建议开发课程以进一步了解道德研究实践的重要性，并将这些课程嵌入本科和研究生学位课程并反映在课程学习成果中。